Council Meeting 6th July 2010

Minutes

 MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING OF CLONAKILTY TOWN COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 6th JULY 2010 AT 10.30 A.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, OLD MILL, KENT ST, CLONAKILTY.
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Members Present: Cllr. Kevin O’Regan (Mayor), Cllr. Cionnáith Ó Súilleabháin, Cllr. Anthony McDermott, Cllr. Anne Cullinane, Cllr. Humphrey Deegan, Cllr. Phil O’Regan.

Officers Present: Ted Murphy, Acting/Town Manager, John Conroy, Town Engineer, Justin England, Town Clerk, Gerard Harte, Staff Officer.

Apologies:   Cllr. Aidan Pendlebury, Cllr. John Loughnan, Cllr. Michael O’Regan
 Moira Murrell, Town Manager 
          
 

1.          CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

a) Minutes of June Monthly Meeting

b) Minutes of Traffic & Transportation Study Meeting held on 21st June 2010

c) Annual General Meeting held on 23rd June 2010

On the proposal of Cllr. McDermott, seconded by Cllr. Deegan, the minutes of all three meetings were adopted.

2.       MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
 
a) Minutes of June Monthly Meeting
Cllr. Ó’ Suilleabháin referred to item that was discussed at the June monthly meeting– Footpath/Hoarding bordering Scally’s Supermarket. The Town Clerk informed him that he was corresponding with the proprietor.

Cllr. Deegan referred to item – Joint Policing Committee. He informed the Members that the JPC Steering Group had recently met and that the inaugural meeting of the JPC would be held on 3rd September 2010.

Cllr. McDermott referred to item- Town Twinning. He proposed that the symbolic signing of the Charter should take place in Dunmore. Cllr. Deegan seconded this. Cllr. Phil O’Regan said that she was unhappy that the signing would take place outside the town. Cllr. O’Súilleabháin suggested that the Mayor should mention at the next Town Twinning meeting that such events involving the Town Council should be held within the urban boundary. It was agreed to attend the ceremony to be held in Dunmore.

Cllr. McDermott referred to Astna Square. The Town Clerk informed the Members that the Town Manager and he had met with the Architects’ Dept. Their design changes reflect the recommendations made by the Members after the last presentation.  The Town Clerk said that a special meeting would be arranged to allow Members to see the final design.

Cllr. McDermott referred to item- Dog Fouling. He queried whether the Town Council have any of the “pooper scoopers” at the Town Hall. Cllr. Cullinane queried whether signs could be erected regarding the problem.

Cllr. McDermott referred to item- NRA Delegation. He gave an update on the deputation’s recent meeting with the NRA.

b) Minutes of Traffic & Transportation Study Meeting held on 21st June 2010
The Town Clerk referred to a letter that was sent to the Members regarding submissions. The Mayor invited the Members to an informal meeting to discuss the Study on Monday 12th July 2010 at 6.30pm in order to prepare a joint response to the presentation given on 21st June 2010.

 3. VOTES OF SYMPATHY
    To: -
• Paddy Hourihan, 88 Tawnies Crescent, on the death of his brother Charlie Hourihan.
• Brian Hughes, Gullane, on the death of his father Eamonn Hughes.
• Margaret O’Brien, Fernhill, on the death of her brother-in-law Dermot Earley.
• Frances Deegan, Imperial Hotel, Strand Road on the death of her mother Nellie O’Sullivan

VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS
  To:-
• Clonakilty Community First Responder Group on their recent official launch at the Quality Hotel.
• Organising Committee of the 2010 Festival of West Cork incorporating the South of Ireland Band Championships.
• Ted Murphy, Divisional Engineer, Cork County Council on his retirement.
• Pupils of St. Joseph’s Girls’ National School, Clonakilty on the painting of the mural at Faxbridge.
• Clonakilty Special Olympics athletes- Aoife McMahon, Cal O’Mahony and Wayne O’Sullivan for their performances at the Irish Games in Limerick.
• Bill Shanley for his appearance at Glastonbury Festival 2010 with Ray Davis.
• Clonakilty District Chamber of Tourism for their tourist promotion of Clonakilty at the Porterhouse Bar Covent Garden in London.
• Clonakilty Parish Church Choir on being invited to sing at the Eucharistic Congress next year.
• Colin Murphy, Railway House, McCurtain Hill, Clonakilty and Darragh Sheehy, Old Timoleague Road, Clonakilty for their recent performances at the Austrian Iron Man Competition.
• Paddy Deasy & Mary Sexton of VOiP & Internet Services Ltd, Ballinroher, Timoleague for the launch of their new business.
• Pupils of Scoil na mBuachailli for their performance of “Macbeth the Musical”.
• Cllr. Jim Daly on his election as Mayor of County Cork.

4. STATUTORY BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL
   a) Changes at Monthly Meeting
The Mayor outlined floor changes for the next meeting

   b) Sub- Committees
The Mayor circulated a proposed schedule of dates for the Sub-Committee meetings.
  

5.   REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF COMMITTEES OF THE    COUNCIL
 a)  VEC Sub-Committee
 Cllr. Deegan provided an update to the Members.

       b) Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee
           Cllr. Phil O’Regan gave an update on the last meeting held.

6. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF OFFICERS OF THE      COUNCIL

a) Planning Applications
Planning applications that had been received since the previous meeting were laid before the meeting.
 
b)  Managers Orders
The Manager’s Orders signed since the previous meeting were laid before the meeting.

c) Application for Community Funding from Clonakilty Object Manipulation & Movement Convention
Clonakilty Object Manipulation Convention applied for funding of €1,700.00 from Clonakilty Town Council. On the proposal of Cllr. Deegan and seconded by Mayor Kevin O’Regan it was agreed that a grant of €850.00 would be allocated.
          
d)    Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Town Engineer gave an update on the above.

e)  Windows and doors replacement programme   
The Town Clerk informed the Members that the proposed works were going out to tender.

f) Flood Relief Works
The Town Engineer informed the Members on works commencing over the coming weeks and other matters concerning flood relief.

7. NOTICES OF MOTION
 
a) Motion from Mayor Kevin O’Regan
“That Clonakilty Town council introduce the Sli na Slainte walking route scheme in the town and environs. Sli na Slainte meaning "Path to Health” is a simple innovative scheme developed by the Irish Heart Foundation to encourage people of all ages and abilities to walk for leisure and good health. “

The motion was proposed by Mayor O’Regan and seconded by Cllr. O’Súilleabháin.

 Following contributions from several Members the motion was agreed. 

b) Motion from Cllr. Cionnáith O’Súilleabháin
"That this council views with extreme concern the internal Fianna Fáil submission to the forthcoming White Paper on Local Government which proposes to abolish Town Councils and replace them with "District Councils" which mirror the existing Local Area County Council structures. We also note that our representative body, the AMAI to which all 84 Town Councils in the state are affiliated, has expressed similar concerns. That this council writes to the General Secretary of Fianna Fáil and the party's Spokespersons on Local Government in both the Seanad and Dáil, as well as all the local Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members to express our opposition to the proposal to abolish the democratic structure of Town Councils contained in the party's submission".

The motion was proposed by Cllr. O’Súilleabháin and seconded by Cllr. Phil O’Regan.
 
Following contributions from several Members, the motion was agreed.

c) Motion from Cllr. John Loughnan
“That this council refers to the new Joint Policing Committee for their consideration, the viability of restricting the opening hours of Deasy's Car Park in order to prevent any activity that may be considered to be anti social behaviour.”  

In Cllr. Loughnan’s absence, the motion was proposed by Cllr. Cullinane and seconded by Cllr. Deegan
Following contributions from several Members, the motion was agreed.

d) Motion from Cllr. Humphrey Deegan
“That Clonakilty Town Council write to the British Ambassador extending an invitation to H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth on her proposed state visit to Ireland to visit Clonakilty.”

The motion was proposed by Cllr. Deegan and seconded by Mayor Kevin O’Regan.

Cllr. O’Súilleabháin proposed that the Council should not adopt the motion. There was no seconder for this proposal.
After a brief discussion the motion was agreed.
 

e)  Motion from Cllr. Cionnáith O’Súilleabháin
"That irrespective of the Traffic and Transportation Study and related procedures, this council calls for the urgent placing of a Traffic Island between Eurospar front entrance and the Waterfront complex, and that all means be employed to ensure that this necessary facility be in place and completed by the end of August 2010 at the latest before schools return after the summer holidays".

The motion was proposed by Cllr. O’Súilleabháin and seconded by Cllr. Deegan.

Cllr. O’Súilleabháin said that due to the width of the road lanes at Eurospar across to the Waterfront Development, a traffic island should be installed so that people could cross the road safely. This should be installed before the schools reopen in September.

The Town Engineer informed the Members that any traffic island or road work modifications had to be designed properly. A road safety audit would have to be carried out and a traffic survey would also have to be done.

He said that there were two planning applications currently being assessed by the Town Council in relation to the Waterfront Development and any junction changes would be considered in the context of these
two applications and also in conjunction with the NRA.

Cllr. McDermott proposed an extension of time for the meeting. This was seconded by the Mayor.

8)       CORRESPONDENCE FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

9. CORRESPONDENCE FROM OTHER LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND          
PUBLIC BODIES

a)     Motion from Monaghan Town Council
  
"That Brian Lenihan, T.D.  Minister for Finance explore the possibility of re-examining the basis on which rates are levied by Authorities on commercial properties throughout the country’’.

The motion was marked as read.
 

          b)     Motion from Bandon Town Council
“Bandon Town Council welcomes the publication of WSIP 2010-2012 listing the approval of approx. 340 contracts which are due to commence over the period 2010-2012 at an estimated cost of €1.840B
The Town Council calls on the Minister for the DOEH&LG to suspend the current water pricing policy and to provide 100% funding to all the schemes that are approved to allow those schemes proceed which will both address the necessary water services infrastructure deficit and provide badly needed employment in the construction industry”.

On the proposal of Cllr. Phil O’Regan and seconded by Cllr. Deegan,
the motion was agreed.
 
c)     Motion from Wexford Borough Council
“In view of the reopening of the head shop in Wexford, after only closing down for some days, I call on this Government to adopt the Labour Party Bill which would mean that specific planning permission would be required for the change of use of a premises to open a head shop as a further measure to strengthen the law in this area”.

On the proposal of Cllr. O’Súilleabháin and seconded by Mayor Kevin O’Regan, the motion was agreed.

10.     ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a) Sign at Wolfe Tone Street
Cllr. O’Súilleabháin enquired about this. The Town Clerk said that he will follow up on this matter. 

b)  Eurospar Boardwalk
Cllr. O’Súilleabháin referred to the walkway which was closed. The Town Clerk informed him that the decision was made to close the walkway due to anti-social behaviour. It was planned to reopen in the coming weeks

c) Traffic Warden
The Town Clerk informed the Members that this was an operational matter for the officials.

d) Deasy’s Car-Park
Cllr. O’Súilleabháin referred to anti-social behaviour at Deasy’s Car-Park. The Town Engineer said that he was examining methods of controlling access to the Car–Park.

Cllr. Cullinane suggested that the Town Clerk write to the Superintendent informing him of the concerns of Members raised at this meeting.

e) Food Market Update
Cllr. Cullinane enquired about the Food Market. The Town Clerk informed the Members that the Town Manager and he had recently met with the County Solicitor and they were examining issues in relation to the legal advice received.

f) 22 Casement Park
Cllr. O’Súilleabháin enquired about the clean up at 22, Casement Park.
The Town Clerk informed him that a contractor was appointed to commence works in the coming week.

g) Youth Café
Cllr. McDermott informed the Members that the fitting out of the Youth Café in Harte’s Car-Park had commenced.

h) Old Linen Hall
 Cllr. McDermott enquired whether the Town Council would investigate the purchasing of the Old Linen Hall on Connolly Street which was for sale.

i) Cork County Council- Refuse Collection
Cllr. McDermott raised this matter. The Acting Town Manager said that as at the time of this meeting, no decision had been made on the Refuse Collection Service.

j) Deasy’s Quay
Cllr. Cullinane enquired about Deasy’s Quay. The Town Clerk said that the Town Council are considering ways of developing the site.

k) Footpath on Road to Ring
Cllr. Cullinane enquired about a footpath on road to Ring. The Town Engineer said that it would be difficult to incorporate a footpath there as there is insufficient roadway.

l) Footpath at Lady’s Cross
Cllr. Deegan enquired about the footpath at Lady’s Cross. The Town Engineer informed him that temporary traffic lights were erected and that work would be starting there this week.

m) August Monthly Meeting
The Mayor proposed that the August meeting would take place at 6.30pm on Tuesday August 3rd 2010.

This was seconded by Cllr. McDermott and agreed by all.
         
  This concluded the official business of the meeting

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